Okay, so I recently went to the Redmond Oregon Sportsman Show, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience. I figured I’d jot down my whole process, from start to finish, for anyone thinking about going next year, or just curious about what it’s like.
First off, I started by looking up the dates and times online. I didn’t want to drive all the way out there just to find out I was a day late, or the doors hadn’t opened yet. Found the info pretty easily – it was running all weekend.
Next, I had to figure out how to get there. I’m not from Redmond, so I pulled up my trusty map app and punched in the address. Got the directions all sorted, estimated the driving time, and even checked for any potential traffic snags. I am not a fan of traffic.
Getting Tickets
Then came the ticket situation. I looked to see if I could buy them online in advance, and I sure could! This seemed like a good idea to avoid any lines at the door. Paid for the ticket, printed it out, and stashed it in my bag. Ready to roll!
At the Show
The day of the show, I got up, got dressed, and double-checked I had my ticket. Drove out to Redmond, following my pre-planned route. Found parking – which was a bit of a zoo, I’ll admit – and walked over to the entrance.
Inside, it was packed! So many booths, so many people. Everything from fishing gear to hunting equipment to boats – you name it, they probably had it. I started by just wandering around, getting a feel for the layout. I wanted to see everything, so I systematically went up and down each aisle.
I stopped at a few booths that caught my eye. Talked to some of the vendors, checked out some cool new fishing rods, and even entered a raffle for a free guided fishing trip (fingers crossed!).
- Checked out the fishing gear: Lots of cool new rods and reels.
- Looked at hunting equipment: Scopes, blinds, all the good stuff.
- Saw some impressive boats: Dreamed about owning one someday.
- Entered a raffle: Hoping to win that fishing trip!
After a few hours of browsing, I grabbed some food from one of the food vendors. It wasn’t gourmet, but it hit the spot. Kept walking around, checking out more booths, and soaking it all in.
Finally, after a long day of exploring, I headed back to my car, tired but happy. Drove home, reflecting on all the cool stuff I saw. Definitely a worthwhile trip, and I’ll probably go back again next year.
